The United States will soon start transporting military supplies to Afghanistan across Russian air space as only some technical problems remain, Russia's NATO envoy Dmitry Rogozin said on Friday.

Russia and the United States have discussed in detail the transit of military cargos through Russian air space on condition of inspection, Rogozin said in a video press conference between Moscow and Brussels.

A summit between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama in July 2009 saw an agreement allowing 4,500 flights a year carrying U.S. troops and weapons to Afghanistan across the Russian territory for free.

Obama hailed this move as a "substantial contribution by Russia to an international effort," as it will save the U.S. troops time and money. The agreement reportedly saves the U.S. government US$133 million annually.